Christmas Card 2011 (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Yo Ho Ho!

So our Christmas card is out. And once again, we seem to have not taken Christmas that seriously. We sure don't in our pictures, that's true. But in real life, different story. If Christmas is to commemorate the birthday of Jesus, it would make sense to ask, "Well, what would he want?" Turns out, he wants us to have a heart like his. That is, one that sees value in people. One that puts service and others above self. A heart that sees a lot of room for personal involvement in making the world better. So we do. Rather than exchange (and then return) ties and socks and the like, we give to aid agencies that promote sustainable health and economic stability and education. So we support scholarships for those with little opportunity for education. We help provide clean water. And yes, we give a goat or a chicken once in a while. One of our favorite places to give is www.adra.org We invite you to begin your own tradition of giving. After all, what can you give to someone who already has everything?

We hope you enjoy our photographic and seasonal silliness. But more than that, we hope YOU have a great holiday season. Happy Birthday!

Pics from the making of Pirates of Colorado

Special Thanks to Grandpa Stenbakken--without you, Finn would not have played his part. Thank you so much Hearts and Tails Carriage Company for the sleigh.

Why do I live in Colorado again? Gelerie

This was at the end of October. Huge snow that caused a lot of tree damage.

We made a snow cave/igloo.

Oh Yeah, my family is here...

We spent fun times camping in this summer.

Dumont Lake Campground (Near Steamboat Springs), August 2011. The wildflowers were beautiful. We camped nearby where there were available spots.

Maui 2011 - Part 1

In September we were in Maui. We got a week long pass at Maui Ocean center. Highly recommend. If you plan ahead, you can get a 10% discount online.

Surf's Up! Erik learned how to surf in Maui.

We spent a lot of time at the beach. Instead of fighting the biological clocks, we just went to the beach almost everyday around 7 a.m. The kids were a lot more awake and there wasn't a crowd of people.

Maui 2011 - Part II

More beach pictures...

Aubrey bodysurfing.

Nakalele Blowhole, Maui

August Outdoors

We went camping with Erik's family in August. Aside from the rainy weather, we had a great time.

Photo of Jason Welch (Erik's brother-in-law) and Avery Dick (Erik's grandfather) who is 97 years old this year.

The Poudre River was high this summer. Best tubing yet!

On a 14er climb with Jeremy Jacob.

Aubrey's Golden Birthday, August 8

Aubrey turned 8 this year. Happy Birthday to our most favorite daughter!

Custer State Park, Black Hills South Dakota

The Needles of the Black Hills

Finn with his brand new sword before he melted it in the campfire.

Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park. It's all Erik's fault.

Beautiful Colorado

Glenwood Springs Weekend Trip with the Kahlers

Bed Head

Erik got a new canoe for his birthday in June. He's old...

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The last summer of Finn in the child carrier.

Aubrey and Finn (Click on photos to enlarge)

Monkey see, monkey do....

Aubrey has as dress up doll and he talks!

Yearly tulip picture. Aubrey is on her knees in the picture.

Finn just because...

Winter Fun

Erik went on a ski-in hut trip last January above Leadville, Colo. Awesome weather, great company, and ample rich food (and the exercise to make it guilt-free).

It was so cold in February that we were able to instantly vaporize a cup of boiling water.

Christmas 2010

Christmas was spent in California with Gelerie's family. Here's a picture of the three girl cousins with Alyssa, Kylie, and Aubrey (L to R). Gelerie did the facepainting (backup career plan).